I applaud the Ombudsman for seeking to correct an injustice

Nov 14, 2014 Letters

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Dear Editor,
This sort of injustice is cruel, horrible and inhumane.
I had penned this letter a few weeks ago- October 14th to be exact, and was rigorously debating in my mind whether and/or when would have been the most opportune time to release same. When I saw the news in KN online this morning I was greeted with a tremendous sense of relief and happiness that justice is still alive and there is still hope for us. I must publicly applaud the Ombudsman for seeking to correct an injustice undertaken several years ago that literally obliterated several lives of decent and upright citizens. Here goes my letter:
‘I came across a blog tonight regarding the sordid tale surrounding the sacking of the three top Officers from NBS a few years ago, namely, Messrs. Maurice Arjoon, Kent Vincent and Kissoon Baldeo. This situation is usually what movies are made of and when trying to wrap my mind around this entire episode, you begin to wonder what motivates some persons to do what they do to cause such wanton pain and harm onto others. The blog was particularly harsh on the Chairman of NBS, Mr. Moen Mc Doom and a few other influential persons in the political and governmental landscape. I have known Mr. Mc Doom for quite some time and cannot help but feel completely and utterly disillusioned with the purported actions attributed to him and his alleged role in this entire debacle which has effectively destroyed and publicly disgraced some very decent and upright citizens of Guyana. I will not attempt to regurgitate this story to the public as it has made the headlines for close to a decade now and cannot fathom the tremendous hurt and humiliation that these fine gentlemen must have felt and continue to feel during this most turbulent period of their respective lives. Their entire careers were unceremoniously destroyed and their lives turned inside out for reasons best known only to the perpetrators of this heinous plot against them. The statements and letters emanating from former Board members, Messrs Leon Rockliffe and David Yhann speak volumes on this matter and is apt testimony to their impeccable character and professionalism that they waited until the charges were all dismissed by the courts before issuing same and subsequently resigned. The architects of this episode should hang their heads in shame!
My sole purpose in penning this missive is to draw attention to the simple fact of how easily a person’s life can be destroyed and turned upside down through no fault of his or her own but just simply through a few persons concocting a fable regarding financial malfeasance against them. From time immemorial, financial irregularity, whether true or false, has been the easiest allegation to throw at your enemies whenever the intention is to destroy the integrity of another person. We all know that negative news sells! We need to guard against such evil things recurring in the future as there is only so much that a person can take. The silent majority in Guyana needs to speak out against such abominations. Yesterday was this trio, today is someone else, tomorrow may be your turn.
I hail from Eccles which is the same village that Mr Arjoon is from and literally grew up in front of Mr. Arjoon. I would wager that no one of sound mind and morals in our village would ever believe that Mr. Arjoon committed such an act. Mr. Arjoon may not have been the most popular individual in the village, but he and his family were one of the most respectable, decent and upright families to have called Eccles their home. Why would someone commit so many decades of their life to an institution then proceed to commit fraud at the tail end of their career? It just does not make sense!  I met Mr. Vincent about 15 years ago through my wife’s uncle and I am equally impressed with the integrity and credibly of Kent. I do not know Mr. Baldeo personally at all and cannot or will not offer a comment on his character.
As if to rub salt into their wounds, these individuals now have to sue the institution to obtain their benefits which are rightfully theirs.
The onus is now on the Government of Guyana to launch a full scale enquiry into this entire fiasco and let the chips fall where they may. I trust that NBS has adequate Directors & Officers Liability insurance coverage to deal with any possible liabilities that may arise therefrom. ‘
Justice has now been served with the release of its findings by the office of the Ombudsman. Let these men and their families be relieved of the tremendous burden and stress that they have suffered at the hands of some evil persons.
Raj Singh

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